Cattle dealer sentenced for flouting animal movement rules
© FLPA/Rex Shutterstock A cattle dealer has been sentenced for flouting animal health and welfare rules which aim to prevent diseases such as bovine TB and foot-and-mouth.
Lesley Anthony John England, 65, of Tiverton, Devon, was previously convicted following a trial at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on 3 September.
Mr England was found guilty of 16 offences of failing to carry out bovine TB pre-movement testing of 59 cattle between May and August 2014.
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He as also convicted of seven offences of failing to notify the movements of a total of 45 cattle between April and June 2013 and one offence of failing to notify the use of land.
Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards department brought the prosecution.
The charges related to offences committed across Cumbria.
Magistrates ordered Mr England to complete 90 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay a £60 victim surcharge. He was also told to pay the county council’s costs of £13,572.
Speaking after sentencing, Councillor John McCreesh, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Trading Standards, said: “Unfortunately TB is prevalent in some parts of the country and the effects on farmers can be devastating.
“Legal controls are in place to help prevent the spread of the disease and so when these rules are flouted, the livelihoods of others are put at risk.
“This case shows that ignoring the law which is in place to protect livestock and the livelihood of the farming community can result in a hefty penalty”
Councillor John McCreesh, Cumbria County Council
“Much of the farming community rely on those in the supply chain complying with the control measures that are intended to minimise the spread of TB and its potential threat to rural livelihoods.
“This case shows that ignoring the law which is in place to protect livestock and the livelihood of the farming community can result in a hefty penalty.
“I am pleased to see that the judge in this case has recognised the seriousness of the offences and the importance of the joint work of Cumbria’s Trading Standards Animal Health Team, Legal Services and Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency to take robust action when the rules have been broken.”